Siyasi a star on and off the pitch

Bongolwethu Siyasi does not only want to be the face of football in the township, he wants to also use his education to bring change to other aspiring footballers.

picture: buntu gotywa

The 16-year-old player is being groomed at Ajax’s Lambda Institute with 10 other players from around the world.

Ajax Cape Town launched institutelast week to groom and develop soccer players that would be able to represent their country and play in the elitists leagues of the world.

On Friday November 23, scores of soccer pundits, coaches and fans gathered at Ikamva for the launch of the institute.

Young players who are currently living at the institute and those who are coming in wer introduced to guests. Among those was Khayelitsha’s Siyasi who was praised by his coach Duncan Crowe as among the best in the team.

Siyasi formed the first intake of aspiring footballers together with Kegan Johannes, Andrew Fortune, Aden, Dreyer, Cade Erickson, Patrick Fisher and Luca Diana-Oliaro.

Siyasi has eight caps to his name playing for Amajimbosi.

The defender at his age is playing in the ABC Motsepe League. He feels that he has made a good decision to join Ajax.

Like any township child, Siyasi takes football seriously. On Friday he revealed that his greatest motivation has been his poor upbringing.

He also recited a poem that he said is his motivation to other players. He would love to help his community of Khayelitsha – that made the chairman of the PSL Irvin Khoza and the CEO of Ajax Amsterdam, Edwin Van Der Sar stand up.

“Through playing sport I want to change my community and I am adamant that I will change it,” he said.

Siyasi belives his determination and discipline will take him far in the sport and in life.

But currently he is looking forward to helping his ABC Motsepe side in the league.

“I am sure that I chose the best team to take me forward. When I was signed I knew the club had also made a great decision,” he boasted.

The Ajax ABC Motsepe team will be playing against Ikapa away in Mitchell’s Plain on Friday November 30.

1 of 2

Bongolwethu Siyasi does not only want to be the face of football in the township, he wants to also use his education to bring change to other aspiring footballers.